ORDER EDENTATA. 287 



bands varies, in the different individuals of the same spe- 

 cies, but further that there are individuals of different spe- 

 cies which have the same number of bands. 



The number of species and their synonyma is by no means 

 satisfactorily explained. The eight mentioned by D'Azara 

 from actual observation may be admitted as distinct, but 

 their identity or distinctness from such as are already de- 

 scribed must, in a great measure, be subject to conjecture. 



After these general observations on the genus, we shall 

 select such of the species as may be best known for further 

 description ; and as the order of their succession in this 

 division of the subject is immaterial, we shall take those 

 first on which there exists the most information. 



To invent an artificial system of zoology, though founded 

 on the best basis, that is, the natural analogies and devia* 

 tions of animals, without many anomalies, without some 

 absolute contradiction, is utterly hopeless. It is, perhaps, 

 indeed, not too much to say, that such an Utopian system 

 is hardly to be desired, as it would be destructive of the 

 very objects of the science. If a certain number of ana- 

 logies be not allowed to warrant the association into one 

 order, though the genera and species which compose such 

 order may all differ amongst themselves in various parti- 

 culars, we are driven to the baneful alternative of multiply- 

 ing divisions, and burthening the memory with terms of art 

 as numerous as the individual aberrations of nature. 



Thus, until lately, the absolute want of incisive teeth in 

 both jaws was considered essential to the admission of any 

 genus or species into the order Edentata. Canine teeth 

 might or might not exist, but the order was, in fact, 

 named from the total absence of incisors : but M. F. Cuvier 

 has lately described the Encoubert, (for whose synonima we 

 refer to the table,) which is possessed of incisive teeth, and 

 must therefore be considered as an anomaly in this order. 



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